Kochi: As India launches its first indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant today, it will also mark India’s entry into a select hub of countries capable of designing and building a carrier of this size and capability.

Till date, it is the biggest warship to be built by India and the launch will take place in Cochin. Other than US, UK, Russian and France, India is the only country worldwide to build a ship of the size.

The keel for the construction of this 37,500 tonne carrier was laid, four-and-a-half years back, by Defence Minister A K Antony and will be launched by the minister’s wife, Elizabeth, at Kochi shipyard.